Hiking
This is about a 45 minute drive from the cabin. You can drive to the top of the falls and easily get out and look or start at the bottom and climb the stairs (the view is beautiful). This is also the trailhead for the Appalachian Approach Trail (about 6-7 miles to the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain- difficult), and the trail to the Len Foote Hike Inn (4 miles- moderate to difficult).
The Falls are gorgeous and this os the easiest way to start the Appalachian Trail (with lots of parking).
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Amicalola Falls State Park
418 Amicalola Falls State Park RoadThe Falls are gorgeous and this os the easiest way to start the Appalachian Trail (with lots of parking).
Stay the night at our cabin, and then head over in the morning to Amicalola Falls to start your journey to the awesome Len Foote Hike Inn! These are eco-friendly and rustic accommodations. Load your backpack with your clothes and toiletries, and let the Hike Inn do the rest with hot showers, delicious dinner and breakfast, and lots of good company.
Len Foote Hike Inn
280 Amicalola Falls State Park RoadStay the night at our cabin, and then head over in the morning to Amicalola Falls to start your journey to the awesome Len Foote Hike Inn! These are eco-friendly and rustic accommodations. Load your backpack with your clothes and toiletries, and let the Hike Inn do the rest with hot showers, delicious dinner and breakfast, and lots of good company.
This is right on the way to the cabin, with views off both sides of the bluff. It is hard to take a bad picture here!
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Cohutta Overlook
Georgia 52This is right on the way to the cabin, with views off both sides of the bluff. It is hard to take a bad picture here!
The cabin looks out onto the Cohutta WMA, and our property directly abuts. The hiking here is wild, remote, difficult, and beautiful. We need a fishing / hunting license to enter the WMA. The views are so beautiful… even if you just drive to Georgia’s highest elevation lake- Conasauga. If you need a backpacking training hike, head to Panther Creek falls. The hike back is Killer! (9 miles, difficult as hell).
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Cohutta Wilderness
2694 Old Hwy 2The cabin looks out onto the Cohutta WMA, and our property directly abuts. The hiking here is wild, remote, difficult, and beautiful. We need a fishing / hunting license to enter the WMA. The views are so beautiful… even if you just drive to Georgia’s highest elevation lake- Conasauga. If you need a backpacking training hike, head to Panther Creek falls. The hike back is Killer! (9 miles, difficult as hell).
The ultimate through hike- and you can start it here! There are plenty of free spots for camping - and legendary scenery. Try a spur trail up to Blood Mountain. Beautiful!!
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Appalachian Trail Southern Terminus
Appalachian Approach TrailThe ultimate through hike- and you can start it here! There are plenty of free spots for camping - and legendary scenery. Try a spur trail up to Blood Mountain. Beautiful!!
You won’t encounter big crowds at this amazing hiking gem! You MUST get a timed entry ticket in advance, but the small crowds make the effort worth while. Two amazing waterfalls and unobstructed views from Lookout Mountain make this place unforgettable, with trails of multiple distances and difficulty levels.
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Lula Lake Land Trust
5000 Lula Lake RdYou won’t encounter big crowds at this amazing hiking gem! You MUST get a timed entry ticket in advance, but the small crowds make the effort worth while. Two amazing waterfalls and unobstructed views from Lookout Mountain make this place unforgettable, with trails of multiple distances and difficulty levels.
Sightseeing
Here are some interesting places to visit within about an hour’s drive from the cabin.
The Park is just a couple of miles down the road. The Overlook trail is about a mile and ends in spectacular views (moderate). If you only have time for a quick look, drive to the Cool Springs trailhead and simply walk out on the platform. What a view! If you are a seasoned hiker and want a challenge, continue on the Gahutti trail (8 miles, difficult)- it is one of the most challenging for us, and we hike everywhere! If you want shorter / easier hiking with a ton of bang for your buck, head out on the big rock trail. Also about a mile with views, rocks to climb, and a little waterfall. Kids love it. If there is rain, the Gold Mine Creek trail is awesome- tons of water features to skip through. If you like foraging, you will see plenty of mushrooms on this trail. Finally, a lazy walk around the lake at Fort Mountain is shaded and level, with pretty views of the sunset and a beach. Less than a mile. It’s hard to NOT see a black bear at this park!
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Fort Mountain State Park
181 Fort Mountain State Park RdThe Park is just a couple of miles down the road. The Overlook trail is about a mile and ends in spectacular views (moderate). If you only have time for a quick look, drive to the Cool Springs trailhead and simply walk out on the platform. What a view! If you are a seasoned hiker and want a challenge, continue on the Gahutti trail (8 miles, difficult)- it is one of the most challenging for us, and we hike everywhere! If you want shorter / easier hiking with a ton of bang for your buck, head out on the big rock trail. Also about a mile with views, rocks to climb, and a little waterfall. Kids love it. If there is rain, the Gold Mine Creek trail is awesome- tons of water features to skip through. If you like foraging, you will see plenty of mushrooms on this trail. Finally, a lazy walk around the lake at Fort Mountain is shaded and level, with pretty views of the sunset and a beach. Less than a mile. It’s hard to NOT see a black bear at this park!
This is a gorgeous and enormous reservoir with prime camping and hiking. We had our first date here- so it is very special to us!
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Carters Lake
This is a gorgeous and enormous reservoir with prime camping and hiking. We had our first date here- so it is very special to us!
Blue Ridge has tons of cute shops, bars, coffee houses, and other quaint buildings.
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Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge has tons of cute shops, bars, coffee houses, and other quaint buildings.
Take the 26-mile round trip ride from scenic Blue Ridge to McCaysville Georgia and Copperhill Tennessee. There is plenty of food, shopping, and fun on this historic train ride. Tickets are available online.
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I-Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
241 Depot StTake the 26-mile round trip ride from scenic Blue Ridge to McCaysville Georgia and Copperhill Tennessee. There is plenty of food, shopping, and fun on this historic train ride. Tickets are available online.
It is an old fashioned drive in! Take the kids and a blanket and have a blast! Concessions are on site.
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Swan Drive-In Theatre
651 Summit StIt is an old fashioned drive in! Take the kids and a blanket and have a blast! Concessions are on site.
One of our favorite nearby wineries. German inspired with great chocolates and charcuterie to enjoy with your flight.
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Engelheim Vineyards
120 Lakeview RdOne of our favorite nearby wineries. German inspired with great chocolates and charcuterie to enjoy with your flight.
Beautiful setting, great wine, and goats! What more could you ask for?
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Fainting Goat Vineyards
201 Vineyard WyBeautiful setting, great wine, and goats! What more could you ask for?
Cartecay Vineyards
5704 Clear Creek RdBeautiful and relaxing setting with wine slushees!
This is the iconic orchard in the apple Capitol of Georgia. U-pick apples, bagged apples, apple pies, and other delicious items. They have also added a cidery next door!
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B.J. Reece Orchards
9131 GA-52This is the iconic orchard in the apple Capitol of Georgia. U-pick apples, bagged apples, apple pies, and other delicious items. They have also added a cidery next door!
Food scene
Here is where we love to eat when we are staying at the cabin.
This is the quintessential “meat and three.” If we head up to the cabin on the Chatsworth side from I-75, this is the must-stop place my kids cry for! Try the chicken livers or catfish. Check their hours- Edna is open whenever she wants to be. :)
Edna's
1300 US-411This is the quintessential “meat and three.” If we head up to the cabin on the Chatsworth side from I-75, this is the must-stop place my kids cry for! Try the chicken livers or catfish. Check their hours- Edna is open whenever she wants to be. :)
If you are heading to the cabin from Atlanta, Alpharetta, Milton, or Cumming, set your navigation to take you through beautiful Ball Ground, Georgia and get your steaks, sausages, and pork chops here to cook on our grill later. The Shop is owned by a German master butcher. Need I say more? You can’t miss the Heaven and Earth potato salad, the red cabbage, or the German cheesecake. Ausgezeichnet!!
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Frankfurt Döner & Meats
250 Gilmer Ferry RdIf you are heading to the cabin from Atlanta, Alpharetta, Milton, or Cumming, set your navigation to take you through beautiful Ball Ground, Georgia and get your steaks, sausages, and pork chops here to cook on our grill later. The Shop is owned by a German master butcher. Need I say more? You can’t miss the Heaven and Earth potato salad, the red cabbage, or the German cheesecake. Ausgezeichnet!!
Driving through Ellijay you can’t miss the famous Poole’s and the Pig Hill of fame. The BBQ is so good that the people leave has been frequented by movie stars, politicians, and presidents!
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Poole's Bar-B-Q
164 Craig StDriving through Ellijay you can’t miss the famous Poole’s and the Pig Hill of fame. The BBQ is so good that the people leave has been frequented by movie stars, politicians, and presidents!
This tiny pizza place in downtown Ellijay is wonderful. Visit during slightly off hours as it gets crowded, and order the Spicy Calabrian!
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Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza
2 River StThis tiny pizza place in downtown Ellijay is wonderful. Visit during slightly off hours as it gets crowded, and order the Spicy Calabrian!
Quirky and good coffee! Plenty of seating and some small bites to have with your coffee. Check out some of the antiques and vinyl records for sale inside.
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Ellijay Coffeehouse
131 N Main StQuirky and good coffee! Plenty of seating and some small bites to have with your coffee. Check out some of the antiques and vinyl records for sale inside.
Village Cafeteria
121 N 2nd AveSuper delicious meat and three in downtown Chatsworth.
Lovely location and upscale dining. This has been our favorite for years. Try their Sunday brunch!
The Butcher and Bottle
Lovely location and upscale dining. This has been our favorite for years. Try their Sunday brunch!
Our new favorite place for BBQ. Quirky atmosphere and perfectly delicious food. Located close to Ellijay in Cherry Log.
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Pink Pig
663 Cherry Log StOur new favorite place for BBQ. Quirky atmosphere and perfectly delicious food. Located close to Ellijay in Cherry Log.
Chill Out Ice Cream and Eatery
Perfect pit stop for sweet treats while shopping in Ellijay.
Healthy and delicious- directly in downtown Ellijay.
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Abby's Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
24 S Main StHealthy and delicious- directly in downtown Ellijay.
Convenient for a coffee and a sweet treat directly downtown.
Das Kaffee Haus - Coffee & Tea Shop Ellijay
Convenient for a coffee and a sweet treat directly downtown.
A Little Baked Bakery
Ellijay’s newest bakery.
Shopping
There is unique shopping all around the cabin, from antiques to rustic artisan furniture and crafts. Here are our favorites.
We adore the rustic curated items in this store as much as we adore the charming owners! Our cabin is full of pieces from this store.
THE COW PELT
51 River StWe adore the rustic curated items in this store as much as we adore the charming owners! Our cabin is full of pieces from this store.
We only stock this high quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar in our cabin. It is so delicious, and you can try about a hundred varieties in-store!
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Blueridge Olive Oil Co.
24 S Main StWe only stock this high quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar in our cabin. It is so delicious, and you can try about a hundred varieties in-store!
This place is a little farther away in Blue Ridge, but it is so cute and unique I had to mention it. We have a young daughter and she goes wild in here for the dazzling party favors, tiaras, key chains, bath bombs, and other hand made items.
Lily + Coco
701 E Main StThis place is a little farther away in Blue Ridge, but it is so cute and unique I had to mention it. We have a young daughter and she goes wild in here for the dazzling party favors, tiaras, key chains, bath bombs, and other hand made items.